Study for the Implementation of Remote Control Towers in European Airports

Abstract

Remote provision of air traffic control services at airports has been developed as a more cost-effective alternative to the construction and operation of conventional control towers. Based on digital camera and data processing systems, remote towers provide a perfect replica of the airfield environment which enables provision of air traffic control from any location. In this study thesis, a preliminary feasibility analysis of the remote tower solution is presented from a general perspective to a more specific analysis for different types of airports, as well as proposing some guidelines for the implementation of remote towers at large scale in Europe focusing on a specific case study for Spain. Implementation of remote towers has been found a great alternative for small and medium-size regional airports for which, by means of centralised remote tower centers from which several airports are controlled, greater flexibility and operational cost reduction can be achieved by sharing human resources.